It doesn't have to be Wife Appreciation Day, which falls on the third Sunday in September, to show your wife some love. Mother's Day gets all the attention, but married women who aren't moms deserve a little appreciation, too. So do partnered women with children. So, get on it!
Open the car door
Open the car door for her. It doesn't have to be done with a flourish or even every time, but once in a while — maybe she's got her hands full or is tired or just because — open the door, let her get in, and shut it.
Girls' trip
Quit rolling your eyes at her girls' trips. She loves you, and she loves her friends, too. It's important for her to spend time with them. You can show her you appreciate her by encouraging her, not giving her a guilt trip.
Hold hands
Maybe you've been together for years, but holding her hand shows you still love her and care for her. You appreciate that you two are at each other's sides. You love the feel of her touch.
Take the kids out
Sometimes the best way you can show your wife you appreciate her is clearing out some quiet time for her. Instead of making Wife Appreciation Day a big, raucous affair, take your kiddos out of the house and let her rest, relax, and eat without sharing.
Make her a cake
Cake is fit for any celebration, so go ahead and bake her one. You know what she likes, and you can watch YouTube videos if you're not sure what to do or how to do it. If all else fails, order one from her favorite bakery. But showing her you want to make her happy is appreciation written large.
Love her friends
You may have never really liked her friends, but if you want to show her you appreciate her, see if you can't change your mind and start liking them. It would mean a lot to her.
Notice her accomplishments
She's a rock star, and you're used to hearing about her latest accomplishments. But the thing is, if you don't take them for granted, she'll feel seen and appreciated. After all, she's not accidentally accomplishing things. She's working hard to do it.
Make her coffee
So easy. So necessary. Make her coffee on Wife Appreciation Day (and, honestly, any other day you possibly can). That's how she'll know you appreciate her.
Stop announcing your chores
She does her fair share (maybe more than her fair share) of household chores without comment. So, why do you announce it every time you empty the dishwasher? Maybe stop doing that. Instead, tell her you noticed that she emptied the dishwasher and thank her.
Clear snow off her car
Want to really show her you appreciate her? Get out there in the sub-zero temperatures this winter and de-snow and de-ice her car. Maybe warm it up for her, too. If you don't live where it snows, her car could probably use a wash. Find her keys and go get it detailed. She deserves it.
Clean everything
Don't let her clean or pick up or otherwise take care of household things on Wife Appreciation Day. She does that all the time, it's not fun, and she's probably doing more than you are anyway. Make sure you do it all.
Laugh at her jokes
She's hilarious, it comes naturally to her, and it's one of the reasons you fell in love with her. Make sure you still laugh at her jokes. She'll know you appreciate her.
Cook for her
Food is the way to a woman's heart, too! Make her favorite meal, and pour her a glass of her favorite wine or cocktail. Play her favorite dinnertime playlist, and don't let her clear the table, do the dishes, dry, or help out even a little.
Spend time with friends
She knows you appreciate her when you encourage her to go out with her friends. On Wife Appreciation Day, remind her that it's been a while and tell her to make some plans.
Let her talk
OMG with the man-terruptions! Be mindful of your conversations, stop interrupting her when she talks, ask her questions, and be genuinely interested in what she has to say. She's sharing with you because she appreciates you. Reciprocate!
Learn her language
If your wife grew up speaking another language, how about you finally start taking this side of her seriously? Learn some words and phrases or, better yet, commit to learning enough to have a fun, sexy conversation with her. She'll laugh, but she'll know you see her full self.
Flowers and chocolates
Go old-school and bring her flowers and/or chocolates. Whatever she likes! And surprise her with them once in a while.
Give her credit
Did she support you through a big transition at work, proofread the proposal that got you promoted, ask you practice interview questions, or otherwise contribute to your success? Give her credit for that, even if it was years ago. There's no statute of limitations on saying thanks and acknowledging someone. She'd love to hear that you know she matters to you.
Make a playlist with her songs
There's nothing like a playlist to show your appreciation, but if you load it all with your music, that's hardly saying you appreciate her. Instead, pair her favorites with some music of yours that you think she'll like. Or go outside your comfort zone and add music new to both of you that you think she'll really like.
Make appointments
She handles all the doctors, dentist, and orthodontist appointments, she knows the classroom parent (or IS the classroom parent). She fills out all the back-to-school paperwork for every kid, every year. What if this year, you said all the administrative family stuff is on you?
Speak highly of her to others
You can tell her you appreciate her, but there's also quite a thrill when you hear from someone else how much your partner appreciates you. Spread the word. Speak highly of her to others.
